# Electrostatic cloths - how do they do that?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrostatic-cloths-how-do-they-do-that/21680
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 7, 2000, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrostatic-cloths-how-do-they-do-that/21680 "2000-06-07T18:37:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2000, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrostatic-cloths-how-do-they-do-that/21680/1 "2000-06-07T18:37:44Z")
I really like the new electrostatic dust cloths like Swiffer, but my knowledge of static electricity is limited to sticking balloons to my cat. How do they charge the cloths and why don’t I discharge them just by touching them? Can I electrostatically charge stuff at home so I don’t have to keep buying these things? And should I avoid introducing the Swiffers to my anti-static dryer sheets?
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### Author:  [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2000, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrostatic-cloths-how-do-they-do-that/21680/2 "2000-06-07T23:22:45Z")
Although the [Swiffer® FAQ](http://www.swiffer.com/usenglish/faqs.html) says “the Swiffer® cloth is **rubbed over a surface it creates an electrostatic charge** to attract soil into the cloth. The cloth’s Lift and Lock Pockets™ then trap and hold dirt in place,” the [dust bunny animated gif](http://www.swiffer.com/usenglish/product_demo.html) seems to show that statement to be a lie.
You might want to wander around the [Swiffer® Homepage](http://www.swiffer.com) to see if there’s more information.
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### Author:  [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2000, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrostatic-cloths-how-do-they-do-that/21680/3 "2000-06-08T03:58:47Z")
Thank you, UncleBeer. I did wander around and I learned, among other things, that the Swiffer Mobile was making a tour of the US. The Swiffer people are going to sample dust from all over the country and determine the weight, composition and age. What fun! I hope they come to my town, but I rather doubt it - it took us years to get the Wiener Mobile here. I’d be happy to have them come and look at my dust; I must say I’m sick of looking at it.
Quentin Crisp said dust doesn’t get any worse after four years. Apparently he didn’t live with dark wood floors and a cat.